Four Founders Master Plan

Former Convent and School Site Repurposed to Provide Affordable Housing

RuralEdge selected gbA to create a master plan for a large site in Newport, Vermont.  The existing site includes a convent building and a high school with adjacent fields that are both unoccupied. 

RuralEdge and the design team will undertake the redevelopment of this property in three separate phases: the first phase will convert the convent building into 26 units of affordable housing; the second phase will convert the Sacred Heart High School into condominiums or multi family housing; and the third phase will see the construction of multiple single and multi family homes on the existing greenspace.  The conversion of the buildings will require a total gut-rehab of the interiors with a substantial addition during phase one.

The initial work included creating multiple master plan options for the site to act as a roadmap for the three phased project.  Our planning process emphasizes maximum input from building users, as well as clear and creative presentations to stakeholders.  Our goals were to develop feasible concepts that met the needs of the client and gave them options to consider while adhering to their budget and providing sustainable and aesthetically pleasing spaces.   

gbA developed six master plan options that were discussed in our design studio and with the client in detail, where one final master plan was decided upon and refined.